You have to wonder what was Halleck doing here? This is the type of order that just seems so stupid that it defies logic. But military orders are usually supported by some for of military logic and purpose.

What purpose did this order serve and why did he issue it? Was it just simply to get southerners to take the Oath? I wouldn't think so, not as wide ranging and vast an order as this was, effecting all the military districts which were in the south at that time.

After all what good was taking the Oath anyway? It was just a piece of paper, if a persons was just taking it to get married and he had no intentions of honoring it anyway.

So was Halleck trying to gather information, or some other type of intelligence? Maybe unit structure and organization of the Confederate army, by questioning the applicant as they applied for a marriage license?